• Surendran, A.
• Thatheyus, Joseph

Abstract

<jats:p>Introduction: Phytoremediation is a cutting-edge and eco-friendly technique that utilizes plants to eliminate pollutants, including copper, which can pose risks to plants, animals, and humans. In the present study, the hyperaccumulator capabilities of the tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the removal of copper, zinc, iron, and manganese from the soil was explored. Materials and Methods: The tomato plants were cultivated for 70 days in pots containing varying concentrations of copper, ranging from 250 to 1250 ppm. At specific time intervals of 15, 30, 45, and 60 days, plants of each concentration were harvested. Then the soil samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine the levels of copper, zinc, manganese, and iron. Results: The results indicated that zinc removal exhibited a higher rate compared to other metals, with a removal rate of up to 95.79%, while copper removal reached 87.7%. Furthermore, analysis after 60 days of treatment revealed that the aerial parts of the plants accumulated more metals than that of the roots. Additionally, the chlorophyll content in the leaves decreased at both low and high copper concentrations, compared to moderate levels. Conclusion: The tomato plant, L. esculentum indicated promising hyperaccumulator potential in the removal of copper than other metals from the soil. The current study emphasized the effectiveness of phytoremediation as a sustainable approach to abating copper pollution.        </jats:p>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• zinc
• copper
• iron
• Manganese